Probe tip and infusion sleeve for use in ophthalmological surgery

ABSTRACT

An aspiration probe tip for use in surgical procedures includes a body defining a first channel therein for aspirating material therethrough from a surgical region along a first vector. The body includes a straight portion connected to a first end and a curved portion connecting the straight portion to a second end. A fluid sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the body and defines a second channel between the fluid sleeve and the body for injecting a fluid into the surgical region along a second vector. An end of the fluid sleeve securely fits over the body to substantially seal the end of the fluid sleeve. The fluid sleeve further defines an aperture for injecting fluid along the second vector from the second channel into the surgical region. A combination of the aspiration of the material into the first channel from the surgical region along the first vector and injection of fluid into the surgical region from the second channel creates a cyclonic movement within the surgical region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/489,007, filed Sep. 17, 2014, entitled PROBE TIP AND INFUSION SLEEVEFOR USE IN OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SURGERY, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/888,699, filed May 7, 2013, entitledPROBE TIP AND INFUSION SLEEVE FOR USE IN OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SURGERY, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,840,624, issued Sep. 23, 2014, which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/169,483, filed Jul. 8, 2008,entitled PROBE TIP AND INFUSION SLEEVE FOR USE WITH OPHTHALMOLOGICALSURGERY, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,435,248, issued May 7, 2013. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/169,483 claims benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/977,705, filed Oct. 5, 2007, entitled PROBE TIP ANDINFUSION SLEEVE FOR PHACO EMULSIFICATION PROCESS FOR REMOVING THE HUMANLENS IN CATARACT SURGERY AND REFRACTIVE LENS PROCEDURES. Thespecifications of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/489,007,13/888,699, 12/169,483, 60/977,705 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,840,624 and8,435,248 are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to probe tips for use in the removal of ahuman lens from an individual's eye, and more particularly, to a curvedprobe tip and sleeve design for use with optical procedures such ascataract surgery and refractive and presbyopic lens exchange surgery.

BACKGROUND

Phacoemulsification techniques for the removal of cataracts or theremoval of a human lens in an individual's eye for purpose of refractivelens correction requires the use of high frequency ultrasound generatedmovements of a metal probe tip combined with the infusion of fluids tomaintain and pressurize the human eye. The device for providing thesefunctionalities is generally referred to as a phacoemulsification probe.The phacoemulsification probe uses subtle aspiration or suctionfunctions to remove emulsified lens material within the eye of anindividual. The material within the eye may be emulsified usingultrasonic processes in order to break down material within the eye.These types of probes are used during cataract surgery, as well as forlens removal purposes for refractive and presbyopic lens correction. Incurrently used technologies, the phacoemulsification probes, their tipsand associated sleeves, are designed to generate linear movement of thetip via ultrasound and to provide the coaxial infusion of fluids withinthe eye by a sleeve which projects fluid in the same direction as tipmovement. However, this infusion of fluid is in a competitive directionto the direction of suction of the probe tip which is used foraspirating lens material that has been emulsified via the ultrasonicemissions of the probe tip.

The configuration of existing phacoemulsification probes use straightprobe tips having the infusion sleeve coaxial with the probe tip toinject fluid along the same axis as the ultrasonic emissions of theprobe tip. This generates a more linear to and fro motion with respectto the straight or beveled tip of the phacoemulsification probe that canpotentially run the risk of damaging sensitive support structures of thehuman lens, such as zonules. The linear back and forth movement ofexisting probes can cause damages to the inner structures of thecapsular sac or support structures of the lens since the movements maybe directly into the structures and the fluidic infusion may also bedirectly at the structures in addition to the ultrasonic emissions ofthe tip. These combined forces can, for example, cause turbulentendotheliopathy, which may damage the inside of the lining of thecornea.

Another problem arising from the linear to and fro motion of existingphacoemulsification probes, arises from “coring.” “Coring” involves asituation wherein the tip of the phacoemulsification probe becomesplugged with emulsified materials that are being broken down andaspirated, particularly during linear emulsification techniques. Thus,there is a need for an improved phacoemulsification tip for use inophthalmological procedures involving the removal of materials from thecapsular lens sac that overcomes the problem of existing tips such asprojection of fluids in a non competitive direction from which materialsare attempting to be aspirated, risking damage to sensitive and internalstructures of the human eye, and the prevention of coring when usingphacoemulsification probes.

SUMMARY

The present invention as disclosed and described herein, in one aspectthereof, comprises an aspiration probe tip for use in surgicalprocedures that includes a body defining a first channel therein foraspirating material therethrough from a surgical region along a firstvector. The body includes a straight portion connected to a first endand a curved portion connecting the straight portion to a second end. Afluid sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the body and defines asecond channel between the fluid sleeve and the body for injecting afluid into the surgical region along a second vector. An end of thefluid sleeve securely fits over the body to substantially seal the endof the fluid sleeve. The fluid sleeve further defines an aperture forinjecting fluid along the second vector from the second channel into thesurgical region. A combination of the aspiration of the material intothe first channel from the surgical region along the first vector andinjection of fluid into the surgical region from the second channelcreates a cyclonic movement within the surgical region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding, reference is now made to thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingDrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the various structures of a human eye;

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art phacoemulsification tip and associatedsleeve;

FIGS. 3a-3e illustrate the various steps involved in the use of aphacoemulsification probe with respect to cataract surgery;

FIG. 4a provides a cross-sectional view of the phacoemulsification tipand associated sleeve of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4b illustrates an alternative embodiment of the fluidic sleeve;

FIG. 5 illustrates the phacoemulsification probe tip of FIG. 4 with thesleeve removed;

FIG. 6 illustrates the sleeve that is placed over thephacoemulsification probe tip;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a phacoemulsification machine;

FIG. 8 illustrates the various force vectors which may be utilizedwithin utilizing the phacoemulsification probe tip to remove a mass suchas a cataract within an eye; and

FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate a further use of the probe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers are usedherein to designate like elements throughout, the various views andembodiments of the probe tip and infusion sleeve for use withophthalmological surgery are illustrated and described, and otherpossible embodiments are described. The figures are not necessarilydrawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings have been exaggeratedand/or simplified in places for illustrative purposes only. One ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many possible applicationsand variations based on the following examples of possible embodiments.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isprovided an illustration of the major structures of the human eye. Thestructures involved with the phacoemulsification and other opticalprocedures relevant to the improved phacoemulsification probe tip andsleeve of the present disclosure are all within the anterior segment 102consisting of the anterior chamber 104 and the posterior chamber 106.The anterior chamber 104 comprises those structures from the cornea 108to the iris 110. The cornea 108 covers the anterior chamber 104 andcomprises the exterior of the eye. The iris 110 expands and retracts toalter the size of the pupil and adjust the amount of light entering thehuman eye. The lens 112 is used for focusing light passing through thepupil on the retina 118. The lens 112 is contained within the capsularsac consisting of the anterior capsule 114 and the posterior capsule116. Zonule fibers 120 are used for supporting the lens 112 within thecapsular sac. A cataract is an opacity that develops within the lens112. Cataract surgery or refractive lens procedures involve a processfor piercing the anterior capsule 114 to remove the lens 112 and othermaterials contained within the capsular sac.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a prior artphacoemulsification probe that is used for removing cataract and lensmaterial from the capsular sac of a human eye. The phacoemulsificationprobe 202 consists of a stainless steel or metal tip 204 that isinserted within an incision made within the cornea and anterior capsuleto aspirate emulsified material through a small opening 206 within theend of the probe tip 204. Additionally, a fluidic sleeve 208 is placedover the probe tip 204 and a fluid material may then be injected alongthe axis of the tip 205 through the annular chamber formed between theprobe tip 204 and the fluidic sleeve 208. The fluid injected into theprocess passes out of the annular opening 210 of the fluidic sleeve 208.As discussed previously, one problem with the design of existingphacoemulsification probes is that the aspiration of emulsifiedmaterials occurs generally in the direction indicated by arrow 212 whilethe fluid injected into the process from the chamber between the fluidicsleeve 208 and the probe tip 204 occurs generally in the directionindicated by arrow 214. Thus, the aspirated materials and the fluidsinjected into the process are occurring in opposite directions workingagainst each other.

Referring now to FIGS. 3a-3e , there are more fully illustrated thevarious processes involved within the phacoemulsification surgeryprocedure. Initially, as generally indicated at FIG. 3a , a microincision of 1 mm-3 mm is made in the human eye at the junction of theclear cornea and the white of the eye (i.e., a clear corneal incision)to facilitate placement of the instrumentation for performing thephacoemulsification procedure. A side incision is also made. Accordingto one technique these micro incisions are made either directly on theaxis of the astigmatism of the patient's eye, or 90 degrees away fromit, depending on the ease of access of surgery and the requirement forcorrection of astigmatism pre or post operatively.

Once the incisions have been made, a viscoelastic substance is injectedinto the eye to maintain intraocular pressure. The viscoelasticsubstance is injected within the anterior chamber 104 describedpreviously with respect to FIG. 1. This procedure is analogous toperforming a procedure within a water balloon while maintaining thepressure within that water balloon without releasing the fluid from thepressurized structure. Once the viscoelastic substance is injectedwithin the anterior chamber 104 of the human eye, a circular opening ismade within the anterior capsule 114 to create access to the lens 112.The removal of the anterior surface of the lens capsule is referred toas capsulorhexis.

The phacoemulsification probe is inserted through the incision withinthe cornea as illustrated in FIG. 3b to enable access to the lens 112via the hole made within the anterior capsule 114. Using ultrasonicemissions from the probe, the cataract within the lens 112 of the eye isbroken up (emulsified) as illustrated generally in FIGS. 3b and 3c . Theemulsified cataract material and lens is aspirated from the capsular sacusing a combination of fluids injected within the capsular sac from thephacoemulsification probe and the aspiration functionalities of theprobe.

This procedure can be analogized with the capsular sac being consideredto be a common candy such as an M&M. The circular opening is made withinthe candy coating of the M&M on its anterior surface (i.e.,capsulorhexis). The chocolate within the candy coating is thenemulsified and aspirated from within the candy coating. This leaves ac-shaped bowl comprising the posterior surface of the M&M. In thepresent disclosure, the c-shaped bowl comprising a saran wrap-likebiological tissue called the posterior capsule is allowed to remainwithin the eye to support a replacement lens inserted within thecapsular sac as described hereinbelow.

Once the cataract and lens fragments have been aspirated from thecapsular sac additional viscoelastic fluid may be injected into theempty capsular sac to expand it to facilitate placement of a foldedintraocular lens (IOL). A foldable intraocular lens implant is made ofsilicon or acrylate and has the appropriate power of correction for thepatient's vision. A folded IOL replaces the existing crystalline lens ofthe eye that has been removed due to the cataract. It normally comprisesa small plastic lens with acrylate or silicone side struts, calledhaptics, to hold the lens in place within the capsular sac of the eye.The prescription of the IOL is established by the patient and the doctorin accordance with the needs of the patients such as is done for glassesor contact lenses.

The IOL is injected within the capsular sac as illustrated in FIG. 3dusing a lens injector through the incision that was previously used bythe phacoemulsification probe. The use of a foldable IOL enables thelens to be rolled for insertion into the capsular sac through the verysmall incision made previously thus avoiding the need for stitches inthe eye caused by a larger incision. After injection within the capsularsac using the lens injector as illustrated in FIG. 3d , the intraocularlens expands within the capsular sac as illustrated in FIG. 3e . Theintraocular lens is supported by the posterior portion of the capsularsac which remains intact. The injected viscoelastic material may then beremoved via aspiration and no sutures are required after the surgery dueto the small size of the incisions that were made.

Referring now to FIG. 4a , there is illustrated the phacoemulsificationprobe and fluidic sleeve of the present disclosure. Thephacoemulsification probe 402 rather than comprising a straight probetip includes a curved probe tip 404. The end of the probe tip 404 iscurved such that the axis 406 at the end of the tip is at an angle ofapproximately 20-45 degrees with respect to the main axis 408 of theprobe tip 404. However, it should be realized that the angle between thecurved portion of the probe tip 404 and the main axis 408 of the probe402 could be set to any angle. The phacoemulsification probe tip 404 isconstructed of titanium, stainless steel or other type of metallicmaterial useful in surgical procedures. The opposite end of the probetip 404 connects with a connector for connecting to the main probe body.The probe tip 404 also defines therein a passageway 410 enabling theaspiration of materials from the eye of a patient through an opening412. The probe tip 404 is also connected to additional components withinthe probe body and probe machine enabling the probe tip 404 to vibrateat and emit ultrasonic frequencies. In addition to the ultrasonicvibrations, the tip 404 may be made to rotate along a circular axis 424about the central axis 408 of the probe tip. The vibration of the probetip 404 at the ultrasonic frequencies enables a surgeon to sculpt andemulsify cataracts or natural lenses while suctioning the aspiratedparticles into the opening 412 and the hollow passageway 410 runningthrough the body of the tip 404.

Surrounding the body of the probe tip 404 is a fluidic sleeve 414. Thefluidic sleeve 414 is made of silicon, plastic or metallic material andincludes an aperture 416 enabling the expulsion of a fluid in an initialdirection away from the opening 412 that is used for aspiratingmaterials into the phacoemulsification probe 402. This enables fluid tobe expelled in a non-competitive vector to the vector of suction. Theend of the fluidic sleeve 414 closest to the opening 412 of the probetip 404 is closed by having its edges 418 slide over a protrusion 420within the body of the probe tip 404. The protrusion 420 is an annularprotrusion completely surrounding the exterior surface of the probe tip404. The protrusion 420 enables the open end 418 of the fluidic sleeve414 to fit snugly over the probe tip 404 and seal the end of the fluidicsleeve such that any fluid injected into the sleeve will pass out theaperture 416. Fluid is provided to the aperture 416 through an annulararea 422 that is defined between the inner wall of the fluidic sleeve414 and the outer surface of the probe tip 404.

Referring now also to FIG. 4b , there is illustrated an alternativeembodiment wherein the fluidic sleeve 414 rather than having an aperture416 on the inner radius of the probe tip includes an aperture 430 on theexternal radius of the probe tip. In this case, the vector of expulsion432 would still be non-competitive with the vector of aspiration intothe general 410 of the probe tip 404. Additionally, it is noted that theconfiguration of the aperture 430 illustrated in FIG. 4b is a shark gillconfiguration comprising a curved slit in the fluidic sleeve 410. Ratherthan using only a single slit for the aperture 430, multiple slits maybe utilized in alternative configurations. It is noted that placement ofthe fluid aperture for the fluidic sleeve 410 on the external radius ofthe probe tip or the internal radius of the probe tip may be selectedbased upon a particular application of the probe tip. Thus, dependingupon the application, the vector of expulsion 432 of the fluidic sleeve414 may be configured in any number of directions that arenon-competitive with the vector of aspiration of the probe tip in orderto better provide different uses of the probe tip. Additionally, ratherthan the shark fin configuration illustrated in FIG. 4b or the smallopening configuration illustrated in FIG. 4a any number ofconfigurations may be utilized for the fluid aperture from the fluidicsleeve 414.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a perspective view of theprobe tip 404. As described previously, the probe tip 404 is made of ametallic material and defines an opening 412 for aspirating materialsremoved from a patient's eye in the end of the probe 404. The annularprotrusion 420 is used for sealing the open end of the fluidic sleeve414 as described hereinabove. Connector 405 allows connection of theprobe tip 404 to the rest of the body of the phacoemulsification probe402.

Referring now also to FIG. 6, there is provided an illustration of thefluidic sleeve 414 which surrounds the probe tip 404. The top edge 418of the fluidic sleeve 414 defines an opening through which the probe tip404 is inserted. The opening 602 is sealed by the top edge 418 fittingsnugly over the protrusion 420 on the phacoemulsification probe tip 404.The fluidic sleeve 414 is also curved at an angle similar to that of thephacoemulsification probe tip 404 such that a consistent sizing of theannular region 422 between the inner wall of the fluidic sleeve 414 andthe external wall of the probe tip 404 is provided. Since the opening602 of the fluidic sleeve 414 is sealed closed by the snug fit of edge418 over the protrusion 420, all fluids which are expelled from thefluidic sleeve are expelled through the aperture 416. The configurationof the aperture 416 can be established to enable the fluids to beexpelled in any desired direction, opposite that from the material whichis being aspirated into the opening 412 of the probe tip 404.

Referring now also to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a functional blockdiagram of a phacoemulsification machine 702 and an associatedphacoemulsification probe 704. The phacoemulsification machine 702includes sonic control components 706 for controlling the ultrasonicvibrations of the probe 704 for breaking up the cataract and lensstructures, an irrigation control component 708 for controlling the flowof material through the chamber between the fluidic sleeve and the probetip and aspiration control components 710 for controlling the aspirationof cataract and lens material from the capsular sac. Thephacoemulsification machine 202 and probe 204 enables the integrationinto a single unit the irrigation, aspiration and ultrasoundcapabilities needed to break up and remove cataractous lenses from theeyes. An optical surgeon activates these capabilities in successiontypically by depressing a foot pedal 712 associated with thephacoemulsification machine 702.

Initially, irrigation is provided by the irrigation controlled component708 to the probe 704 typically by gravity feed from a bottle to flushthe surgical site, maintain pressure in the anterior chamber of the eyeto keep it from collapsing when aspiration is applied and to cool theprobe tip during oscillations. Next, the aspiration control components710 are activated to draw fluid and lens fragments toward and throughthe probe tip into a collection container. The aspiration components 710employ different ophthalmic surgical systems such as a peristaltic pump,a venturi or diaphragm pump, etc. in order to perform the aspirationfunctions. The ultrasound control component 706 initiates the ultrasonicvibrations in order to emulsify the lens of a patient.

Maintaining control of the phacoemulsification probe 704 requires thatthe surgeon be able to achieve a balance between irrigation and theparameters of flow and vacuum. Flow describes the rate at which fluidand lens fragments travel toward and through the probe tip 404. Thevacuum describes the suction force that holds material to the probe tip.During surgery, aspiration draws the lens and lens fragments toward theprobe tip and the vacuum holds the lens or fragments at the tip whilethe ultrasonic waves push them away. The effects of both cavitation andmechanical impact cause the lens material to break apart. When smallenough, the fragments are aspirated through the probe tip at a ratedetermined by the aspiration rate. Too high a flow rate will causefragments to move too fast, creating turbulence within the eye. Too higha vacuum can cause a surge after an occluded lens piece is quicklyemulsified.

The phacoemulsification machine 702 allows surgeons to control theaspiration parameters using either a fixed or linear mode of operation.In fixed modes, the unit provides aspiration at a set level asestablished by the aspiration control component 710 when the surgeondepresses the foot pedal. In linear mode, the surgeon's increasing depthof foot pedal depression controls one of the aspiration parameters.Operating the unit at a fixed mode is relatively straight forward.However, achieving the desired clinical performance also requires anunderstanding of the unit's linear mode of operation.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there are illustrated the various forces usedby the phacoemulsification probe 402 to remove lens material from thecapsular sac of an eye. As described previously, the curvature of theprobe tip may be such that the angle between the axis 406 of the openingfor aspirating material from an eye and the main axis 408 of the probe402 can be an angle θ anywhere between 20 and 45 degrees. However,angles of other values may also be utilized. The curved shape of theprobe 402 and the aperture 416 providing the fluid infusion to thecapsular sac that does not oppose the direction of aspiration providesseveral advantages over existing phacoemulsification probeconfigurations. The curved tip provides a configuration wherein thecoaxial ultrasound generation along axis 408 provides non-coaxial tipmovement at the probe tip 802. Additionally, the curvature of the probetip enables, with a slight rotation of the surgeon's hand, athree-dimensional movement of the tip 802 within the eye. Thisfacilitates the emulsification procedure and enables the surgeon togenerate tip movement in a circumlinear fashion within the capsular bag.This allows the direction of aspiration into opening 412 to becentrifugal to the human lens substance. The curvature also enables theultrasonic energy of emulsification to be directed in a two dimensionalfashion via the curved tip design along the main axis 408 and along theaxis 406 of the curved end and allows the tip to move threedimensionally facilitated by the surgeon's movement and control of therotational aspects of the emulsification probe 402. Thus, the probe tip802 may be placed within the circumference of the cataract and allowsthe aspiration to function in a centrifugal fashion, removing the lensmaterial in a plane parallel to the plane of the iris and parallel tothe plane of the human lens equator. This is different from the to andfro motion of straight tip phacoemulsification probe configurationsdescribed previously in prior art designs.

In addition to the sonic vibrations, the probe tip may be made to rotatealong a circular axis 810, as illustrated in FIG. 8, to createadditional ultrasonic vibrations for breaking up cataract or lensmaterials. Using the described configuration, the probe tip will havethree degrees of motion. The axis of ultrasonic vibration in the motionof the tip may first move along the main axis 408 parallel to the longaxis of the probe. The tip may also vibrate along a second axis 406obliquely displaced from the long axis of the tip by virtue of thecurved and beveled tip of the probe. Finally, the tip may have includedtherewith coaxial rotation about an axis 810 either generated by thesurgeon or by coaxial rotation of the tip generated by additionalultrasonic components.

Additionally, the fluidic sleeve design having the opening 416 toprovide for fluid infusion that does not compete with the direction ofaspiration of the probe tip provides a cyclonic movement of fluid withinthe eye as opposed to fluidic infusion directly in competition with thevector of aspiration. As can be seen in FIG. 8, fluid is ejected fromopening 416 in a direction illustrated generally by arrows 804. Similarmotion can be provided by an aperture on the external radius of thesleeve. The combination of the shape of the capsular sac, the directionof the fluid from the opening 416 and the aspiration into opening 412 ofthe probe tip 404 contributes to the cyclonic motion of the fluid withinthe eye around any mass 806 that is being emulsified by the ultrasonicsof the probe tip 404. As particles of the mass 806 are broken down intoa small enough size by ultrasonic vibrations of the probe tip 404 bybimanually dismantling the nucleus, the cyclonic motion of the fluid inthe eye rotates the emulsified particles to the opening 412 of the probetip enabling them to be aspirated out of the capsular bag. Thus, thecyclonic movement of the fluid within the eye directs the lens materialstoward the opening 412 of the probe tip rather than creating forcevectors that would direct emulsified components away from the aspirationof the probe tip.

The improved configuration of the probe provides a number of advantagesover the prior art. The described configuration is specificallyadaptable to hard nuclei whereby a more anterior emulsification of ahard lens causes turbulent endotheliopathy and damage to the insides ofthe cornea. The more linear to and fro motion of a straight or beveledtip probe places more stress on the support structures of the human lens(zonules). With the probe tip described herein, the forces are moreindirectly directed against the hard nuclei. The stresses upon thezonules are minimized when treating large hard nuclei using a processwherein the hard nuclei may be grasped by the tip of the probe 902 asshown generally in FIG. 9a . Once the hard nuclei has been grasped, theprobe tip may be rotated such that the hard nuclei and associated lensare moved away from the anterior portion of the capsular sac 906. Whenthe hard nuclei 904 is moved away form the anterior portion capsular sac906 as illustrated generally in FIG. 9b , the fluid vectors 908 from theaperture of the fluidic sleeve 910 of the probe tip 902 assist inkeeping the capsular sac 906 open and away from the hard nuclei 904. Thesurgeon my then dissect the hard nuclei 906 into as many pieces asnecessary in order to assist in it's aspiration through the probe tip.

This method is also efficient in removing softer, more gelatinous lensmaterial from younger patients, or patients with less nuclear hardeningfor the purposes of early cataract removal, refractive lensectomy orpresbyopic lens exchange. A configuration of the described lens proberesults in fewer complications, such as endothelial cell trauma, retinaldetachment, corneal edema, post-operative inflammation or woundtreatment while facilitating better immediate post-operative visualacuity and function.

The angulation of the tip in a curved fashion from the main body thereofprevents coring of and plugging of lens material within the opening 412by cataract or refractive or presbyopic lens substance. This preventsstopping or plugging during aspiration and facilitates improvement ofcoring problems caused during phacoemulsification procedures. Theabove-described configuration includes a number of improvements overexisting designs with respect to the infusion vectors and aspiration andemulsification vectors that are competitive in existing configurations.There have not previously been designed or made available a tip andsleeve that utilizes the anatomy of a human lens as a guide, thegeneration of ultrasonic movements intentionally oblique to the coaxialvector of ultrasonic generation, the surgeon's control of the thirdrotational function of tip movement and to intentionally provideaspiration and infusion fluidics in opposite directions designedspecifically to respect the lens anatomy and to facilitate aspiration bythe thus created fluidics instead of to unknowingly compete with it.This combination generates a cyclonic fluidic rotation of the lensmaterial and allows the lens material to move toward the aspiration tipwithin the capsular bag thus facilitating emulsification and aspirationremoval of the lens material.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure that this probe tip and infusion sleeve for use withophthalmological surgery provides improvements over existing designs. Itshould be understood that the drawings and detailed description hereinare to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner,and are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms and examplesdisclosed. On the contrary, included are any further modifications,changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices,and embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope hereof, as defined by the followingclaims. Thus, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted toembrace all such further modifications, changes, rearrangements,substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aspiration probe tip for use in surgicalprocedures, comprising: a body defining a first channel therein foraspirating material therethrough from a surgical region along a firstvector, the body including a straight portion connected to a first endand a curved portion connecting the straight portion to a second end,wherein the body further defines an annular protrusion surrounding thebody and axially displaced from the second end such that a portion ofthe probe tip extends from the second end to the annular protrusion; afluid sleeve which surrounds at least a portion of the body and definesa second channel between the fluid sleeve and the body for injecting afluid into the surgical region along a second vector in anon-competitive direction to the first vector, an end of the fluidsleeve securely fitting over the body to substantially seal the end ofthe fluid sleeve, the fluid sleeve further defining an aperture forinjecting fluid along the second vector from the second channel into thesurgical region; and wherein a combination of the aspiration of thematerial into the first channel from the surgical region along the firstvector and injection of fluid into the surgical region from the secondchannel along the second vector in the non-competitive direction to thefirst vector creates a cyclonic movement within the surgical region. 2.The aspiration probe tip of claim 1, further including an aspirationcontroller for selectively controlling aspiration of material from thesurgical region into the first channel.
 3. The aspiration probe tip ofclaim 1, further including an irrigation controller for selectivelycontrolling injection of the fluid through the aperture from the secondchannel into the surgical region.
 4. The aspiration probe tip of claim1, wherein the probe tip is configured to vibrate at ultrasonicfrequencies.
 5. The aspiration probe tip of claim 1, further including asonic controller for selectively controlling the vibrations of the probetip at the ultrasonic frequencies.
 6. The aspiration probe tip of claim1, wherein the probe tip circularly rotates about an axis runningthrough the first end of the probe tip.
 7. The aspiration probe tip ofclaim 1, wherein an end of the fluid sleeve securely fits over theannular protrusion to substantially seal the end of the fluid sleeve. 8.An aspiration probe tip for use in surgical procedures, comprising: abody defining a first channel therein for aspirating materialtherethrough from a surgical region along a first vector, the bodyincluding a straight portion connected to a first end and a curvedportion connecting the straight portion to a second end, the bodyfurther defines an annular protrusion surrounding the body and axiallydisplaced from the second end such that a portion of the probe tipextends from the second end to the annular protrusion; a fluid sleevewhich surrounds at least a portion of the body and defines a secondchannel between the fluid sleeve and the body for injecting a fluid intothe surgical region along a second vector, an end of the fluid sleevesecurely fitting over the annular protrusion to substantially seal theend of the fluid sleeve, the fluid sleeve further defining an aperturefor injecting fluid along the second vector from the second channel intothe surgical region; and wherein a combination of the aspiration of thematerial into the first channel from the surgical region along the firstvector and injection of fluid into the surgical region from the secondchannel creates a cyclonic movement within the surgical region.
 9. Theaspiration probe tip of claim 8, further including an aspirationcontroller for selectively controlling aspiration of material from thesurgical region into the first channel.
 10. The aspiration probe tip ofclaim 8, further including an irrigation controller for selectivelycontrolling injection of the fluid through the aperture from the secondchannel into the surgical region.
 11. The aspiration probe tip of claim10, wherein the probe tip is configured to vibrate at ultrasonicfrequencies.
 12. The aspiration probe tip of claim 8, further includinga sonic controller for selectively controlling the vibrations of theprobe tip at the ultrasonic frequencies.
 13. The aspiration probe tip ofclaim 8, wherein the probe tip circularly rotates about an axis runningthrough the first end of the probe tip.
 14. An aspiration probe tip foruse in surgical procedures, comprising: a body defining a first channeltherein for aspirating material therethrough from a surgical regionalong a first vector, the body including a straight portion connected toa first end and a curved portion connecting the straight portion to asecond end, wherein the body further defines an annular protrusionsurrounding the body and axially displaced from the second end such thata portion of the probe tip extends from the second end to the annularprotrusion; a fluid sleeve which surrounds at least a portion of thebody and defines a second channel between the fluid sleeve and the bodyfor injecting a fluid into the surgical region along a second vector ina non-competitive direction to the first vector, an end of the fluidsleeve securely fitting over the body to substantially seal the end ofthe fluid sleeve, the fluid sleeve further defining an aperture forinjecting fluid along the second vector from the second channel into thesurgical region; wherein a combination of the aspiration of the materialinto the first channel from the surgical region along the first vectorand injection of fluid into the surgical region from the second channelalong the second vector in the non-competitive direction to the firstvector creates a cyclonic movement within the surgical region ; anaspiration controller for selectively controlling aspiration of materialfrom the surgical region into the first channel; and an irrigationcontroller for selectively controlling injection of the fluid throughthe aperture from the second channel into the surgical region.
 15. Theaspiration probe tip of claim 14, wherein the probe tip is configured tovibrate at ultrasonic frequencies.
 16. The aspiration probe tip of claim15, further including a sonic controller for selectively controlling thevibrations of the probe tip at the ultrasonic frequencies.
 17. Theaspiration probe tip of claim 14, wherein the probe tip circularlyrotates about an axis running through the first end of the probe tip.18. The aspiration probe tip of claim 14, wherein an end of the fluidsleeve securely fits over the annular protrusion to substantially sealthe end of the fluid sleeve.